The Coziest Reading Chairs Right Now

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We all have that book that’s been sitting on the shelf for ages, that all our friends have told us to read, and that we’ll get to “eventually.” Well, there’s no time like the present! Time to shake the dust off your reading list and get down to business. The first step, though, isn’t to run to the bookstore and stock up—it’s to start shopping online for something a bit pricier (but just as essential): a reading chair.

So what makes a good reading chair? It’s similar to the lounge chair in that it’s cozy and reclined, but it’s slightly less formal than a desk chair or a dining chair. It could be an outdoor chair, or it could be solely indoors, depending on your setup. Regardless, it’s essential to have a good seat to cozy up in, crack open a book, enjoy a cup of tea, and get to reading. Here are 25 of the best reading chairs out there right now to get you started.

Rae Upholstered Armchair

Allmodern’s chair puts comfort first and foremost. With a wide, deep, low seat, it’s the type of perch you can just as easily catch some z’s in as you can catch up on a good book. Inspired by midcentury silhouettes, it has tall arms and stylish metal legs, and comes in a wide range of fabric upholstery options. Best of all? Free two-day delivery, so you can have it ASAP.

Dimensions: 34" W x 40" D x 32" H

Upholstery: Polyester and cotton blend | Assembly Required: Yes Professional assembly is available for an additional $85.

An Allmodern reviewer says: “Exquisite chairs. The material is beautiful and the seating is deep and soft. You could fall asleep in these.”

Wicker Papasan Chair

Want to feel like you’re sleeping reading on a cloud? This is the chair for you. The cushion has almost 10 pounds of padding fiber, with straps that attach it to the wicker base and prevent it from slipping away. Buyers can choose between many different color options ranging from bold to neutral, for both the base and the upholstery. Like any good papasan, it also swivels, and you can expect it ASAP via Amazon Prime.

Dimensions: 40" W x 36" D x 35" H

Upholstery: Polyester | Assembly Required: Yes

An Amazon reviewer says: “It’s sturdy, the padding is super comfy. It’s a great lounge chair. I love it so much, and it’s perfect to read books in.”

Marla Velvet Accent Chair

Fortune, as they say, favors the bold. That goes for interior design choices too, like this curvy, sculptural reading chair. Available at a remarkably affordable price point, the velvet upholstery feels suitably luxe, and it’s plenty comfy for lounging with a book too. Available in two colors via Bloomingdale’s.

Dimensions: 30" W x 29" D x 28" H

Upholstery: Velvet | Assembly Required: No

Monaco Rattan Chair

Palm Beach is calling! And even if it’s not nearby, its sunkissed, cocktails-by-the-water vibe never goes out of style. Get the look (and the beach read) with a lounge chair from Serena & Lily. It’s made of hand-wrapped rattan and a performance fabric that will withstand any elements, indoor or out—perfect for a magazine on the porch or a novel by the fireplace.

Dimensions: 27" W x 31" D x 31" H

Upholstery: Performance fabric | Assembly Required: No. White glove delivery is included

Leroy Chair

You can’t go wrong with the classics. Leroy is inspired by timeless Danish modern silhouettes and has the elegant curves and carved maple arms to prove it. Beyond its chic shape, it’s also one of the most customizable seating options on this list, with upholstery ranging from linen to leather.

Dimensions: 31" W x 31" D x 34" H

Upholstery: Merino wool as pictured. Also available in leather, mohair, linen, and more. | Assembly Required: No. White glove delivery is included.

A Maiden Home reviewer says: “I LOVE this chair. It’s stylish, comfortable, well built, and pure bliss to sit in. I bought this for a reading corner, and it is exactly what I’ve always wanted (needed?).... It’s perfection!”

Arching Polyester Armchair

The great thing about stripes? They never go out of style. Here, the timeless pattern is available in a wide range of colors, from navy and red to tan and gray. The back is slightly slanted for comfort, and the high arms make for a stately silhouette. Since it’s Wayfair, the chair is also available for two-day delivery, so you can have it arrived and assembled lickety-split.

Dimensions: 30" W x 34" D x 34" H

Upholstery: Polyester | Assembly Required: Yes

A Wayfair reviewer says: “Purchased two of these chairs, and they look perfect in my space. Easy to assemble, I did it myself!”

Harbour Upholstered Armchair

Let’s go old-school. This plush chair channels all the academia vibes, with a rounded shape and turned feet that feel oh-so-elegant. It’s a deeper seat, with a cushion that’s a bit on the firmer side. It’s available in many different neutral colors and is available for two-day, white glove delivery. Great for a lounge, living room, or wherever you do your weekend reading.

Dimensions: 38" W x 37" D x 34" H

Upholstery: Polyester | Assembly Required: No

A Joss & Main reviewer says: “Needed some comfy chairs for our reading room, and these fit the bill.”

Angelo Lounge Chair

Unsurprisingly, Angelo is inspired by the clean, sleek lines of Italian design, and it shows. The good news? It comes at a fraction of the price. Like its revered muses, Angelo comes in many different upholstery options, including velvet, bouclé, and more. Black steel legs add to the stylish look. Mix, match, and pair together for a statement-making reading area.

Dimensions: 29"W x 30" D x 30" H

Upholstery: Available in velvet, suede, or bouclé | Assembly Required: Yes, with white glove delivery available for an additional fee.

A Rove Concepts reviewer says: “I get so many compliments on these chairs. They look amazing, plus they are very comfortable.”

Theodore Armchair

Bring the Soho House look to your living room. Inspired by the outpost on Greek Street in London, this chair is brings in midcentury modern aesthetics, as evidenced by the oak frame and brass details. It’s incredibly comfortable, too, with a deep seat and feather- and down-wrapped foam cushions.

Dimensions: 30" W x 32" D x 31" H

Upholstery: Bouclé | Assembly Required: No

Parkam Lounge Chair

Curvy furniture is still en vogue, so why not snag a reading chair to match? Article’s includes bolster pillows and is upholstered in a performance fabric that can withstand some wear and tear. High density foam cushions are filled with feathers for extra comfort; three different neutral colorways give you options to choose from. Now to figure out which book to pair with it...

Dimensions: 38" W x 34" D x 36" H

Upholstery: Polyester | Assembly Required: Yes

An Article reviewer says: “Great compliments from those who have sat in the chairs.”

Minitore Armchair

Get ready to splurge! The chic Minitoire armchair has become a sought-after staple in the design world, and for good reason. Its unabashedly curvy, plump shape is perfect both for making a statement and for flipping pages. Upholstered in a luxurious Pierre Frey fabric, it’s the sort of seat that will last a lifetime.

Dimensions: 35" W x 37" D x 28" H

Upholstery: Mohair | Assembly Required: No

Upholstered Armchair with Pillow

Not every reading chair needs to draw attention itself. Colamy’s is timeless and cozy, with padded arms and a curved backrest for maximum comfort. High-density sponge keep things soft and plush but still firm enough to make for a good seat, and a wood frame ties the whole thing together. Best of all, at under $200, it’s among the best deals on this list, and has free shipping. If you’re a bolder type, it comes in yellow, blue, and other fun colors too.

Dimensions: 29" W x 27" D x 36" H

Upholstery: Fabric | Assembly Required: Yes

An Amazon reviewer says: “Looks beautiful and blends in so well in the living room space. Legs are stable and should last for several years. Comfortable seating with great cushioning all around.”

Atlanta Chair

The ’70s are back, and they’re bringing fringe with it! Add a bit of pizzazz to your living room or reading nook via a sumptuous velvet chair with a deep, cozy seat. Perfect for catching up on that hefty book that’s been collecting dust on the shelf.

Dimensions: 32" W x 40" D x 36" H

Upholstery: Velvet | Assembly Required: No

Thaddeus Tufted Velvet Armchair

Reading chairs are usually rife with curves and soft lines; for those looking for a more geometric, angular silhouette that’s still plenty cozy, the Thaddeus seat will prove a good fit. Its tufted cushions and stately arms are available in green, blue, yellow, gray, and white.

Dimensions: 31" W x 31" D x 32" H

Upholstery: Velvet | Assembly Required: Yes

A Wayfair reviewer says: “Great quality. Took less than 10 min to put together!”

Jimena Accent Chair

A whimsical, colorful reading chair like this one will immediately add a welcome dose of fun to your home library. It’s available in three totally different patterns, too: the pink unicorn print pictured here, as well as a more subdued peacock motif and a bright bird print.

Dimensions: 28" W x 31" D x 36" H

Upholstery: Cotton and linen blend | Assembly Required: No

An Anthropologie reviewer says: “This chair is gorgeous! I will treasure it forever, such a beautiful statement piece”

Maldive Lounge Chair

Summer is almost here, so it’s time to get your beach reads in order. The best place to flip through said tomes is in an outdoor reading chair like this one from Serena & Lily, which combines teak, caning, and white cushions for a timeless, durable look and feel.

Dimensions: 27" W x 32" D x 30" H

Upholstery: Performance fabric | Assembly Required: No

Champlain Wingback Leather Armchair

A classic wingback chair never goes out of style and makes a perfect addition to any reading nook or library. Pottery Barn’s comes in a wide array of leather options, and its padded cushions will keep bookworms cozy from dusk till dawn.

Dimensions: 31" W x 38" D x 40" H

Upholstery: Leather | Assembly Required: No. White glove delivery is an additional fee.

Lotte Swivel Chair

Who doesn’t love a good swivel chair? This elegant one from Lulu and Georgia comes in a wide range of earth-tone velvets, from a mossy green to a sandy camel.

Dimensions: 33" W x 36" D x 33" H

Upholstery: Cotton and polyester blend | Assembly Required: No. White glove delivery is an additional fee.

Uchiwa Quilted Lounge Chair

The Uchiwa chair draws inspiration from Japanese aesthetics; its form is modeled after the country’s traditional fans. Because of its unique silhouette, it’s even more comfortable than your average seat, with dual headrests and a cozy cocoonlike shape. If reading’s not your thing, then you can just as easily use it to kick back and catch 40 winks.

Dimensions: 34" W x 35" D x 41" H

Upholstery: Fabric and Leather | Assembly Required: No

Velvet Teal Armchair

Sometimes a no-frills armchair suits a space best. This velvet number comes in a bright teal or more subdued gray and is versatile enough to fit in just about any reading room.

Dimensions: 28" W x 31" D x 36" H

Upholstery: Velvet | Assembly Required: Yes, can be included for an additional $30 fee.

A Lowe's reviewer says: “This chair is extremely soft to the touch and comfortable to sit in! My only regret is that I didn’t buy it sooner!”

Alva Chair

Australian interiors guru Sarah Ellison recently brought her namesake furniture line across the Pacific to the states via Design Within Reach, and our homes are all the better for it. Alva’s feather and foam cushions make for the perfect cozy seat and are available in linen, velvet, and bouclé fabric options.

Dimensions: 47" W x 31" D x 31" H

Upholstery: Linen, bouclé, or velvet | Assembly Required: No

Bouclé Headrest Lounge Chair

Bouclé remains the undisputed fabric of the moment for its soft, nubby texture and warm, cozy appearance. Naturally it’s great for a reading chair, in particular this lounge from Anthropologie, which marries Scandinavian design sensibilities with enduring comfort and style.

Dimensions: 29" W x 36" D x 40" H

Upholstery: Bouclé | Assembly Required: Yes, white glove delivery is available for an additional fee.

An Anthropologie reviewer says: “This chair is a stunner. Gorgeous midcentury lines, perfectly smooth wood, and brass details. The seat is generously sized, with room for me and my 16 lb. pup too.”

The Essential Chair

The eco-minded reader will appreciate this chair from Sabai, which is made with recycled velvet. Its sloped arms and wide seat make for the perfect perch; five different color options allow you to customize the look and feel to your liking.

Dimensions: 34" W x 32" D x 28" H

Upholstery: Velvet | Assembly Required: Yes

A Sabai reviewer says: “We are so happy with our new chair. It looks fantastic in the corner of our living room. It was a cinch for my handy husband to put together. The fabric is lovely and is easily cleaned with a vacuum cleaner.”

Knitting Chair

Ib Kofod-Larsen’s designs are staples in the Danish design canon, and this chair is no exception. Here, it’s been cast in a soft, cozy sheepskin upholstery for the ultimate end-of-day relaxation. Pour a glass of vino, grab a good book, and you’re all set.

Dimensions: 28" W x 26" D x 36" H

Upholstery: Sheepskin | Assembly Required: No

Field Lounge Chair

When you think of a cozy lounge chair, something like the soft lines and neutral colors of Blue Dot’s Field seat are probably top of mind. There’s good reason for that, as the lumbar pillow and sold-separately ottoman combine to make this lounger a real joy.

Dimensions: 36" W x 38" D x 36" H

Upholstery: Polyester and linen blend | Assembly Required: Yes

Why Trust Us?

ELLE DECOR is the authority on all things interior design, from stylish reading chairs to kitchen essentials and beyond. As the site’s market editor, I’m constantly scouring stores and showrooms for the very best furniture and accessories the industry has to offer.

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